Mr. or Ms. Huxley, whichever it may be,
I am entirely aware of the church of which you speak, and its rhetoric, including the “god damn America” statement. I am not ignoring it, I find it hard to condemn though. I was lucky enough to attend a panel discussion on the Black Church in America, and I can say that it certainly opened up my eyes. The racism against whites in the Black Church is a direct result of racism against blacks in the rest of society. It was the only place black people could turn to without fearing attacks from whites.
I have also not spoken a word against white pastors of white churches who spoke similar words about God’s condemning or punishing or damning America for other sins, besides the call by Wright that God was damning America for its treatment of blacks. How many times did we read that God was blessing America, and a few of the pastors who support McCain, and McCain sought, have said things that are quite unsavory. Both the rhetoric of Wright and Falwell is a nuisance. If I am guilty of ignoring Wright, I am guilty of ignoring those that advocated a similar punishment. As are we all.
Racism is certainly not specific to majorities or minorities. However, the harm from racism is when powerful institutions use it to oppress others. However, there is no institution in America other than Black Churches that are controlled entirely by blacks, and thus any authority that the Obamas might use to use racist power against will ultimately be executed by institutions made up of predominantly white people. We all have the ability to defend ourselves against oppressive forces as is given to us in the Constitution. Exercise your rights. Those who are the instruments and tools of power have the strength and the ability to do those who misuse them great harm, and they should do it if that power is used unconstitutionally.
Finally, I admit my the last sentence of my last comment was a tad out of line, and soiled the rest of what I said. I am sorry for using it, and it was as close-minded as many of the less savory responses here. I just wish for a more civil debate. I feel increasingly turned off, the more I read of those who attack and attack relentlessly without thought or tact, tarring one another with words we should all be proud of. We are, after all, a proud country.
